Johnny Depp’s big-screen comeback is off to a promising start. Ebenezer box office previews came in at $1.5 million on Thursday night, putting the dark, gothic retelling of A Christmas Carol on track to win the weekend, while the star-studded heist comedy How to Rob a Bank stumbled with just $900,000 in previews.
Here is everything we know about the Nov. 13-15 weekend box office so far, what audiences are saying, and why the numbers matter for Hollywood’s holiday season.
Ebenezer Box Office: $1.5 Million in Previews and a Shot at No. 1
According to World of Reel, Ebenezer earned $1.5 million from Thursday preview showings. That outlet projects an opening of about $23 million domestically, which “should take #1.” Deadline’s reporting likewise points to an opening of $20 million or more.
The film is also opening overseas. World of Reel reports roughly $20 million expected from 63 international markets, including the U.K., Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan and Mexico.
For a film that reportedly cost about $38 million to make, a $20 million-plus domestic start would be a solid result, and a strong signal that audiences are willing to show up for Depp in a lead role again.
Who’s in Ebenezer?
Ebenezer (also titled Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol) is directed by horror filmmaker Ti West, from a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern based on Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella. Paramount Pictures is distributing. The cast, according to the film’s listings, includes:
- Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge
- Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley
- Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit
- Andrea Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past
- Tramell Tillman as the Ghost of Christmas Present
- Sam Claflin as Fred, with Daisy Ridley and Ellie Bamber
Paramount’s marketing tagline sums up the pitch: “The name you know, the story you don’t.”
Critics vs. Audiences: Why Word of Mouth Could Carry Ebenezer
Critics are split. Ebenezer holds a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes, according to World of Reel. But audiences appear much happier. The film earned a 4.5-star rating on PostTrak, the exit-poll survey studios use to gauge moviegoer reaction, and World of Reel says that kind of response could give the movie legs into December, right as holiday moviegoing ramps up.
That critic-audience gap is common for genre twists on familiar stories. A Christmas movie that leans into gothic horror is a niche bet, but one that can play for weeks if families and fans recommend it.
How to Rob a Bank Falls Flat With $900,000 in Previews
The weekend’s other wide release had a rougher start. Amazon MGM Studios’ How to Rob a Bank earned about $900,000 from previews that began Thursday afternoon, per World of Reel, which called it a likely “big miss” for the studio.
Reviews have not helped. The film sits at 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, per the same report. Its budget is reported at between $40 million and $60 million, depending on the outlet.
On paper, the movie had a lot going for it. It’s directed by David Leitch (Bullet Train, The Fall Guy), written by Mark Bianculli and stars Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz, Pete Davidson, John C. Reilly and Christian Slater. The release was moved from its original September date to this weekend. We previewed it in our guide to November 2026’s biggest movies.
Godzilla Minus Zero and Ghost Soldier Round Out the Top
Last weekend’s champion, Godzilla Minus Zero, opened to about $31 million, according to World of Reel, and is projected to take in $12 million to $15 million in its second weekend. That could land it at No. 2. If you missed it, read our report on Godzilla Minus Zero’s opening weekend.
Sony’s faith-and-action drama Ghost Soldier, starring Jim Caviezel, opened Wednesday in 2,558 theaters and had earned about $3.1 million through Thursday, per World of Reel. Critics gave it 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences rated it 90%, and the outlet compared its crowd to the one that turned Sound of Freedom into a surprise hit.
Weekend Box Office at a Glance
| Film | Studio | Early number | Rotten Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ebenezer | Paramount | $1.5M previews; ~$20M-$23M weekend projected | 50% |
| Godzilla Minus Zero | Holdover | $12M-$15M projected (2nd weekend) | n/a |
| Ghost Soldier | Sony | ~$3.1M through Thursday | 42% critics / 90% audience |
| How to Rob a Bank | Amazon MGM | $900K previews | 33% |
Projections are early estimates from World of Reel and Deadline; final weekend numbers arrive Sunday.
Should You See Ebenezer This Weekend?
If you like your holiday movies with a chill, Ebenezer looks like the safest bet of the weekend based on audience reaction. Fans of heist comedies may want to wait for streaming reviews on How to Rob a Bank. And if you are planning a family outing, note that Ti West is best known for horror, so check the rating and trailers before bringing younger kids.
Looking for more options? See our full guide to new movies in theaters this weekend, then tell us: will you be seeing Depp’s Scrooge?
